Rachel Osborne, Community Rail Officer at the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership (CRP), tells us about facilitating a recent ‘try the train’ trip for children from the Hinge Centre.

“On Thursday 22 August, the Yorkshire Coast CRP took a group of children and staff from the Hinge Centre in Bridlington on a train trip to Scarborough.

“The Hinge Centre is a small, locally focused charity based in the Bridlington area. The centre aims to provide support, guidance, services and opportunities to those facing social and financial deprivation, aiming to improve the life chances of some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of their community.

“My colleague Barry and I met the group at Bridlington Station and travelled with them on the train to Scarborough. When we arrived, the children and group leaders explored the Rotunda Museum and Peasholm Park, rode an open top bus, spent some 2ps in the amusement arcade and enjoyed fish and chips for lunch.

“Some of these children don’t get the chance to travel on a train very often, if at all, so these trips really make a big difference for them. We hope that it helps them to build their confidence travelling by public transport.

“Some of the comments from the children say it all: ‘I had a really fun time, I enjoyed all of it!’ and ‘My favourite part was the open top bus ride’.

“Huge thanks to Northern for supporting this trip and providing assisted travel.”

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Yorkshire Coast CRP via their website.

Find out more about Northern’s work in the community here.